A supportive guide for parents as children move through the end-of-year stretch.

The final few weeks of the school year often feel like a mixed bag for children and teenagers. Excitement about holidays and warm weather sits right alongside tiredness, frustration and bigger emotions. If your young person seems more sensitive, less patient, or suddenly struggling with things they usually manage well, it’s understandable to wonder what’s going on.

The truth is, the end of term is a uniquely demanding time — emotionally, socially, academically and physically. Young people feel that load long before the Christmas season officially begins.

This guide explores what’s happening behind those big feelings and how you can support your child or teen through these final weeks of the school year.

1. When Big Joy Meets Big Feelings

Many children and teenagers experience excitement and overwhelm at the very same time. Both emotions activate the nervous system, which means their bodies can struggle to tell the difference between “this is fun!” and “this is too much.”

This is why a young person can go from laughing to crying, or from eager to exhausted, in what feels like a matter of moments. Their emotional system isn’t overreacting — it’s responding exactly as a developing nervous system does when it’s taking in a lot at once.

The  lead-up to Christmas brings plenty of triggers for both big joy and big feelings:
• sensory stimulation
• surprises and waiting
• changes in routine
• unpredictable school days
• social gatherings and expectations
• later bedtimes
• increased anticipation and excitement

For young people, this combination is powerful. Even positive experiences place extra demands on their brain and body, making it harder to stay regulated, flexible or calm.

2. The Low-Fuel Phase

Emotional resilience is a young person’s ability to cope with frustration, disappointment and change. For both children and teenagers, this resilience naturally dips towards the end of the year. After months of managing school demands, navigating friendships, balancing expectations and carrying quiet worries, their emotional capacity is simply lower because:

• They’ve been holding it together for a long time
• Small stresses and worries have built up over the year
• Friendships and social dynamics have shifted
• Academic and social demands have increased
• They are ready for a break

This can show up differently depending on age, however, often includes:

• Bigger or more frequent emotional reactions
• Tears or frustration over things that usually feel manageable
• Shorter tempers or less patience
• Needing more reassurance, space or connection
• Difficulty with changes, transitions or unexpected plans

Their emotional “fuel tank” is running low, and they are ready for a break even if they can’t put that into words.

3. Routines Become More Chaotic

The final weeks of school often look and feel very different from the rest of the years. Days are filled with:

• Assemblies
• End-of-year rehearsals
• Excursions
• Assessments tasks
• Classroom celebrations
• Changes to the usual timetable
• Fewer predictable, structured lessons

For both children and teenagers, this shift can be unsettling. Young people who thrive on routine, or who feel more regulated with clear expectations, may find these weeks particularly challenging, even if they enjoy the special events.

The constant changes mean young people are using more emotional and cognitive effort to adjust, anticipate and keep up, which can contribute to the bigger feelings you may be noticing at home.

4. The End of Year Social Stretch

After almost a full year of navigating friendships, group work, social dynamics and playground or peer expectations, many young people reach a point of social fatigue. Their social world is busy, layered and emotionally demanding.

You might notice:

• Irritation with friends
• Wanting more space or alone time
• Frustration over small social issues
• “I don't want to play” or “I don’t want to go”
• Conflict that would not usually happen
• Difficulty reading cues or responding calmly

This does not mean that they are losing interest in friendships or connection. It reflects that they have spent months managing complex social interactions, and their capacity is low.

Just like adults can feel socially “done” toward the end of the year, young people feel that same mental and emotional stretch, they just express it differently.

5. The End-of-Term Academic Squeeze

In the final weeks of school, academic expectations often increase. Whether they are called tests, check-ins, assessments or “just seeing where you are at”, young people feel the shift.

For both children and teenagers this time can bring:

• Reluctance or worries about going to school
• Concerns about performance
• Avoidance of certain subjects
• Frustration or emotional outbursts during homework

End of year tasks ask for focus, organisation and emotional regulation at a time when most young people have very little left to give. When their cognitive and emotional resources are already stretched, even small changes can feel much bigger.

This does not mean that they aren’t capable- it means they are tired, and tired brains have a harder time coping with pressure, expectations and uncertainty.

6. Tired Minds, Tired Bodies

 By the end of the year, young people aren’t just emotionally and mentally stretched their bodies are tired as well. Their nervous system has been working hard for months, managing school routines, social demands, learning expectations and the general pace of life.

Add warmer weather, busy schedules and holiday anticipation and it’s completely normal to see changes in how they behave, move and settle.

You might notice:

• Restlessness
• Rougher play or quicker frustration
• Difficulty sitting still
• Trouble winding down
• Feeling “on edge”
• More tension

This is not a sign that something is going wrong. It imply reflects their body and mind are tired after a big year. Their nervous system is signalling a need for rest, even while the school day keeps moving.

How You Can Support Them in the Final Weeks of School

Small adjustments at home can make a meaningful difference to how children and teenagers cope during this end-of-year stretch. These strategies help reduce overwhelm, support regulation and create a sense of predictability during a naturally busy time.

Allow Space to Unwind

Most young people need some time after school to transition from the demands of the day to the comfort of home. A slower pace supports regulation and replenishes their energy.

Offer Predictable Routines

A simple “here’s what today looks like” can help ease uncertainty especially when school days feel unpredictable. Knowing what’s coming next reduces stress on a tired nervous system.

Create Opportunities for Movement

Movement helps regulate the nervous system. This might look like outdoor play, a walk, stretching, dancing, or simply giving young people space to move their bodies after a structured school day.

Create Small Moments of Connection

Connections does not need to be long or elaborate. A quiet chat before bed, sitting together, playing a game or sharing a snack together can help young people feel grounded and supported

Use Short, Clear Instructions

Tired brain, including teen brains process information more easily when it’s simple and direct. Keeping instructions brief reduces frustration for both you and them.

Support Rest in Whatever Way Works for Your Family Right Now

This season is full of extra events and excitement, so sleep routines will naturally shift. When possible, keep evenings calm, even if them timing changes. A familiar, simple wind down routine supports regulation and helps them to settle and recharge.

Acknowledging Effort

Recognise the energy they are using just to get through these final weeks. Praise for effort not outcomes helps them feel understood and supported.

If You’re Noticing These Signs Beyond the Season

If these challenges feel familiar beyond this busy season and the usual end-of-year tiredness, an assessment can offer clarity about what’s happening beneath the surface. Insight supports confidence, and confidence supports wellbeing.

Our January 2026 assessment waitlist is now open. To join or learn more about the assessments we offer for children and adolescents follow the link below.